TheNewsGuru

Tag: U.S.

  • Trump leaves door open to further delay tariffs

    Trump leaves door open to further delay tariffs

    U.S. President Donald Trump said he may delay planned tariffs on several countries beyond the newly set deadline of August 1.

    Asked whether the new date was firm, Trump told reporters: “I would say firm, but not 100 per cent.”

    “If they call up and they say we’d like to do something a different way, we’re going to be open to that,” he added.

    Trump said letters sent to over a dozen countries including Japan, South Korea and South Africa outlining planned tariffs were final, but added: “If they call with a different offer, and I like it, then we’ll do it.”

    Earlier on Monday, Trump moved the imposition of high tariffs on trading partners from July 9 to August 1.

    The move is intended to keep planned import surcharges off the table while negotiations continue.

    Although many details remain unresolved, including how future trade relations between the U.S. and the European Union will be structured.

  • Trump to host 5 African leaders

    Trump to host 5 African leaders

    U.S. President Donald Trump will host leaders from five African nations in Washington next week to discuss “commercial opportunities,” a White House official said.

    Trump will host leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal for a discussion and lunch at the White House on July 9, the official said.

    “President Trump believes that African countries offer incredible commercial opportunities which benefit both the American people and our African partners,” the official said, referring to the reasons why the meeting was arranged.

    Africa Intelligence and Semafor reported earlier that the Trump administration would hold a summit for the five countries in Washington from July 9-11.

    The Trump administration has axed swaths of U.S. foreign aid for Africa as part of a plan to curb spending it considers wasteful and not aligned with Trump’s “America First” policies.

    It says it wants to focus on trade and investment and to drive mutual prosperity.

    On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. was abandoning what he called a charity-based foreign aid model and will favor those nations that demonstrate “both the ability and willingness to help themselves.”

    U.S. envoys in Africa will be rated on commercial deals struck, African Affairs senior bureau official Troy Fitrel said in May, describing it as the new strategy for support on the continent.

  • U.S. proposes $1.01 trn defence budget for 2026

    U.S. proposes $1.01 trn defence budget for 2026

    U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed a $1.01 trillion national defence budget request for fiscal year 2026.

    The U.S. Department of Defence said the request represented a 13.4 per cent increase from fiscal year 2025.

    The budget includes $848.3 billion for the discretionary budget and $113.3 billion in mandatory funding through congressional reconciliation.

    The department said “this historic defence budget prioritises strengthening homeland security” and “deterring Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific.”

    It stated that the budget also prioritised “revitalising the defence industrial base and maintaining our commitment to being good stewards of taxpayer dollars.”

    The department added that the 113 billion dollars in mandatory reconciliation funding would address the president’s priorities.

    These include shipbuilding, missile defence, munitions production and quality-of-life initiatives for the nation’s warfighters.

    Divided across the department, the proposed budget breaks down to 197.4 billion dollars for the Army, 292.2 billion dollars for the Navy, 301.1 billion dollars for the Air Force and 170.9 billion dollars defensewide.

    In addition to materials (military materials and equipment), the budget also addressed military readiness and training, as well as quality-of-life improvements for service members and their families.

    “At nearly 160 billion dollars, the FY26 budget request funds DOD readiness to a historic high to meet the planned employment of forces,” the department said.

    It added that the budget also included a 3.8 per cent pay raise and a five billion dollars investment in unaccompanied housing for service members.

    The proposal also recommended some notable reductions, including the department’s cancellation of its E-7 Wedgetail early warning and control aircraft programme due to what it described as “survivability concerns in a contested environment.”

    The department also stated the budget recommendations included reducing procurement of the F-35 Lightning II stealth strike fighter from 74 to 47 aircraft.

    At the same time, increased funding would go toward modernisation of the jet’s capabilities.

    In addition, roughly one billion dollars was allocated for investment in spare parts to address the F-35’s sustainment and readiness challenges.

  • Trump clashes with intel community over U.S. airstrikes on Iran

    Trump clashes with intel community over U.S. airstrikes on Iran

    President Donald Trump’s longstanding tensions with the U.S. intelligence community are resurfacing, this time over conflicting assessments of the impact of recent American airstrikes on Iran.

    An early intelligence assessment concluded that Iran’s nuclear programme was only set back by a few months following last weekend’s strikes on three sites.

    Trump, however, publicly rejected the findings, insisting that the programme was “completely and fully obliterated.”

    The disagreement has set the stage for another high-profile standoff.

    Top administration officials are expected to press Trump’s narrative at a Pentagon news conference on Thursday.

    Meanwhile, briefings for lawmakers on Capitol Hill had been scheduled, though the White House reportedly planned to limit the disclosure of classified information following a leak of the initial assessment.

    “Intelligence people strive to live in a world as it is, describe the world as it is,” said Larry Pfeiffer, a 32-year intelligence veteran and former CIA chief of staff.

    “Politicians are all about describing the world as they want it to be,” he added.

    With the dispute now spilling into public view, it mirrors the broader pattern of Trump’s first term, where his foreign policy assertions often clashed with intelligence analysis, particularly during the Russia investigation.

  • U.S. attacks on Iran: Trump fumes as impeachment axe dangles

    U.S. attacks on Iran: Trump fumes as impeachment axe dangles

    President Donald Trump has fired shots at US representative for New York’s 14th congressional district, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has called for his impeachment.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Alexandria, popularly known as AOC, called for the impeachment of Trump after the U.S. President ordered attacks on three of Iran’s nuclear sites, following hostilities with Israel.

    “Stupid AOC, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, one of the “dumbest” people in Congress, is now calling for my impeachment, despite the fact that the crooked and corrupt Democrats have already done that twice before,” Trump blasted.

    Recall Alexandria faulted Trump and described his decision to attack the Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites in Iran as “disastrous”.

    TNG reports the US Congresswoman argued that Trump acted impulsively in grave violation of the Constitution and Congressional War Powers, adding: “it is absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment”.

    Reacting in a post via Truth Social on Tuesday, ceasefire between Israel and Iran, Trump declared that Alexandria should be forced to take a cognitive test at Walter Reed Medical Center.

    The US President wrote: “Stupid AOC, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, one of the “dumbest” people in Congress, is now calling for my Impeachment, despite the fact that the Crooked and Corrupt Democrats have already done that twice before.

    “The reason for her “rantings” is all of the Victories that the U.S.A. has had under the Trump Administration. The Democrats aren’t used to WINNING, and she can’t stand the concept of our Country being successful again.

    “When we examine her Test Scores, we will find out that she is NOT qualified for office but, nevertheless, far more qualified than Crockett, who is a seriously Low IQ individual, or Ilhan Omar, who does nothing but complain about our Country, yet the Failed Country that she comes from doesn’t have a Government, is drenched in Crime and Poverty, and is rated one of the WORST in the World, if it’s even rated at all.

    “How dare “The Mouse” tells us how to run the United States of America! We’re just now coming back from that Radical Left experiment with Sleepy Joe, Kamala, and “THE AUTOPEN,” in charge. What a disaster it was!

    “AOC should be forced to take the Cognitive Test that I just completed at Walter Reed Medical Center, as part of my Physical. As the Doctor in charge said, “President Trump ACED it,” meaning, I got every answer right.

    “Instead of her constant complaining, Alexandria should go back home to Queens, where I was also brought up, and straighten out her filthy, disgusting, crime ridden streets, in the District she “represents,” and which she never goes to anymore.

    “She better start worrying about her own Primary, before she thinks about beating our Great Palestinian Senator, Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, whose career is definitely on very thin ice!

    “She and her Democrat friends have just hit the Lowest Poll Numbers in Congressional History, so go ahead and try Impeaching me, again, MAKE MY DAY!”.

  • We will retaliate – Iran warns U.S.

    We will retaliate – Iran warns U.S.

    Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the United States must “receive the response to its aggression,” following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

    According to a statement from Pezeshkian’s office, he made the remarks during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron.

    In response to Macron’s call for restraint, Pezeshkian insisted that the United States must be held accountable for its attacks on Iran.

    He described the U.S. strikes as a “clear symbol of its insincerity and the baselessness of its claims about favoring dialogue and seeking peace.”

    In spite of his strong condemnation of the U.S., Pezeshkian emphasised Iran’s continued commitment to diplomacy with Europe.

    “We have always declared our readiness for dialogue and interaction with Europe and have never abandoned the path of diplomacy, as we maintain that no one suffers harm from dialogue,” he said.

    According to the statement, Macron reiterated France’s willingness to pursue negotiations with Iran and affirmed that Paris would continue efforts to de-escalate the conflict and restore stability.

    On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced via Truth Social that American forces had completed strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

    The U.S. strikes followed Israeli attacks that began on June 13, targeting multiple locations across Iran, including nuclear and military sites.

    Those attacks reportedly killed several senior commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians. In retaliation, Iran has launched missile and drone strikes on Israel.

    As of Saturday, the Iranian Health Ministry reported more than 400 people killed and more than 3,500 wounded in Iran. Israeli authorities have reported 24 fatalities.

  • Nuclear sites attacks: Russia vows to support Iran against U.S.

    Nuclear sites attacks: Russia vows to support Iran against U.S.

    Russian President Vladimir Putin told Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on Monday that there was no justification for the recent U.S. bombing of Iran, stating that Moscow was working to support the Iranian people.

    Putin hosted Araqchi in Moscow just two days after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered strikes on Iran’s three main nuclear sites.

    “The absolutely unprovoked aggression against Iran has no basis and no justification. For our part, we are making efforts to assist the Iranian people. I am very glad that you are in Moscow today.

    “This will give us the opportunity to discuss all these pressing issues and think together about how we could get out of today’s situation,” Putin said in televised remarks.

    Araqchi responded by saying Iran’s actions were legitimate self-defense and thanked Russia for condemning the U.S. airstrikes.

    He also conveyed best wishes to Putin from Iran’s supreme leader and president, adding, “Russia is today on the right side of history and international law.”

    While Russia had pledged diplomatic support, it remained unclear what concrete actions Moscow might take to aid Tehran.

    The strategic cooperation treaty signed between the two countries in January did not include a mutual defense clause.

    Prior to the strikes, Moscow had warned that U.S. military intervention could destabilise the region and lead to severe consequences.

    When asked what kind of assistance Russia might provide, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, “It all depends on what Iran needs,” adding that Moscow’s offer to mediate the crisis was, in itself, a form of support.

    Peskov strongly condemned the U.S. attacks. “An increase in the number of participants in this conflict is happening, or rather, has happened.

    “A new spiral of escalation of tension in the region. And, of course, we condemn this and express deep regret.

    “In addition, of course, it remains to be seen what happened to Iran’s nuclear facilities, whether there is a radiation hazard,” he said.

    Peskov also confirmed that U.S. President Trump did not inform Putin in detail about the planned strikes.

    “There was no detailed information. The topic of Iran itself was repeatedly discussed by the presidents during their most recent conversations, certain proposals were voiced by Russia, but there was no direct detailed information about this,” he said.

  • U.S. attacks on Iran: Americans told to stay indoors in Qatar

    U.S. attacks on Iran: Americans told to stay indoors in Qatar

    The U.S. Embassy in Qatar on Monday recommended Americans to stay indoors until further notice for safety reasons amid the Israel-Iran conflict.

    “Out of an abundance of caution we recommend American citizens shelter in place until further notice,’’ the advisory said during the event.

    The advisory came after the U.S. strikes against three Iranian nuclear sites in Natanz, Fordo and Isfahan in the early hours of Sunday.

    U.S. President Donald Trump said after the attack that Tehran “must now agree to end this war’’ or face far more serious consequences.

    Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the door to diplomacy should always be open but added that now was not the time.

    He accused the U.S. of undermining diplomatic efforts and affirmed Iran’s commitment to safeguarding it’s security and interests.

    The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran said that the attacks would not halt its nuclear industry’s progress.

    While the U.S. strikes drew widespread international condemnation.

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described them as a dangerous escalation and a threat to global peace.

    Russia strongly denounced the attacks, calling them a gross violation of international law, the UN Charter, and UN Security Council resolutions, and urged the IAEA to respond impartially.

    Cuba and China also condemned the U.S. operation.

  • Threat Iran fired at U.S. before nuclear sites attacks revealed

    Threat Iran fired at U.S. before nuclear sites attacks revealed

    Iran threatened Washington on the activation of terrorist sleeper cells in the United States few days before the U.S. attack, NBC News reported on Monday, citing unnamed sources.

    U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly received a communique last week in which Iran threatened to activate such cells in the U.S. if Washington made a decision to attack Iran.

    The sources said that the U.S. leader got the message through an intermediary at the G7 summit in Canada last week, the broadcaster reported.

    The U.S. struck three Iranian nuclear sites in Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan in the early hours of Sunday.

    Trump said after the attack that Tehran “must now agree to end this war’’ or face far more serious consequences.

    The U.S. strikes drew widespread international condemnation.

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described them as a dangerous escalation and a threat to global peace.

    Russia strongly denounced the attacks, calling them gross violations of international law, the UN Charter, and UN Security Council resolutions urged the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to respond impartially.

    Israel launched a large-scale operation against Iran, Rising Lion, in the early hours of June 13, accusing it of implementing a secret military nuclear programme.

    The Israeli air force carried out several waves of attacks across Iran, including in Tehran, killing a few senior Iranian military officials, as well as several nuclear scientists, a few nuclear sites, including Natanz and Fordow, were also hit.

    Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the attack a crime and threatened Israel with a “bitter and terrible fate.’’

    Tehran retaliated by launching Operation True Promise 3 on June 13 evening, which hit military targets inside Israel.

    Iran denies the military dimension of its nuclear programme.

    The International Atomic Energy Agency has not seen concrete evidence that Iran has an active nuclear weapons program, Director General Rafael Grossi said on June 18.

    U.S. intelligence assessments reached a similar conclusion that Iran was not actively pursuing nuclear weapons, CNN reported on June 17, citing people familiar with the issue.

    A former UK Ambassador to Uzbekistan, human rights activist Craig Murray told RIA Novosti that Iran was “extraordinarily responsible and patient’’ over the last several years, in spite of Israel’s actions.

  • UN nuclear chief warns of major radiation risks in Iran

    UN nuclear chief warns of major radiation risks in Iran

    Rafael Grossi, the Secretary General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), UN’s atomic energy watchdog, has warned of major risks following recent U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.

    Grossi told UN ambassadors on Sunday that the recent military strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Iran had badly compromised safety.

    The IAEA chief warned that the strikes could pose serious risks if the situation worsened

    The U.S. had on Saturday night bombed Fordow, Iran’s heavily fortified nuclear facility as well as two other sites, Natanz and Esfahan.

    Grossi said the attacks had caused “a sharp degradation in nuclear safety and security”, even though there had been no radiation leaks which could potentially impact the public so far.

    He also warned ambassadors that if the short window of opportunity to return to dialogue closed, then the destruction could be “unthinkable.”

    The IAEA boss further warned that without urgent dialogue, the global nuclear non-proliferation regime “as we know it could crumble and fall.”

    He confirmed that Iran’s main enrichment facility at Natanz had suffered major damage, including to key power infrastructure and underground halls containing uranium materials.

    Grossi said the main concern inside the site was now chemical contamination, which could be dangerous if inhaled or ingested.

    He also listed damage at other nuclear-related sites across the country, including Esfahan, Arak and Tehran.

    Grossi worried that while radiation levels outside remained normal, the attacks had raised alarm over Iran’s operational nuclear plant at Bushehr.

    He warned that any strike on Bushehr could trigger a massive radiation release across the region.

    “The risk is real. Military escalation threatens lives and delays the diplomacy that’s needed to resolve this crisis,” he said.

    He urged all sides to show restraint, saying IAEA stood ready to send experts back in to help monitor and protect damaged nuclear sites.